The disagreement may stem from Nowitzki's reputation as a guy whose been known to over-act when contact is made.

I've never looked at myself as a big flopper," Nowitzki told Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. "If you play me physical then, obviously, I've got to sell the call and get to the line. That's just part of the game. We'll have to see how they enforce that. I think it's a bunch of crap to be honest with you. Are they going to come back after a game and fine you for flopping? That's tough to do to me."

Said Stern: "Now we can make the game about basketball talent rather than acting talent....we think we have the greatest athletes in the world playing at a very high pace, and they should be rewarded for that great play, and they shouldn't cause the game to be decided on anything other than their basketball merits."

Stern and Nowitzki were both at a Mavericks appearance in Berlin to dedicate a new outdoor court.